Traileroutlet.com

	Tow Your Toys We stock open and enclosed Toy Haulers Many brands and configurations to choose from Call US at (973) 347-3472

Experienced, “biker”, trailer experts are available to help you with any part of the following trailer selection process.

The first decision in selection of a motorcycle trailer is fundamental - open trailer, or enclosed trailer.

Open is less expensive
An enclosed trailer shelters your bike from the elements when parked, or on the go, and provides security from casual and malicious onlookers.
A stone shield should be considered for open trailers
An enclosed trailer can be used as a garage without paying building taxes.

The next decision is choice of aluminum or steel frame.

Steel is less expensive, however it is more subject to corrosion, and therefore depreciates faster.
Aluminum requires less maintenance, and generally retains better resale value.

The length and width size of the trailer is usually dictated by type and number of bikes. First determine the footprint required for each bike to be towed, generally 8 feet by 3 feet. Dirt bikes may be 6 to 7 feet long and 2.5 feet wide, street/sport bikes 6.5 to 7.5 feet by 32 – 34 inches wide, cruisers would be 8 to 9 feet by 34 – 38 inches. Choppers/customs vary widely from cruiser dimensions up to 3.5 x 10 feet. Typical single bike trailers would be 5 x 8 to 6 x 10, two bike trailers 6 x 10 to 7 x 12, three bike 7x 14 to 8.5 x16, ………….

Weight requirements must also be considered, usually a bike trailer has single or tandem 3500# capacity axles. A single axle is normally good for two bikes and tandem axles for three or more. Lighter, smaller bikes like dirt bikes take less trailer per bike. Note: more axles does not prevent sway, a common belief. Proper loading of the trailer is the solution for sway. Buying more axles than needed will only give a rough ride to your bikes and cost you in gas.

Height is another consideration. Stand up interior heights can be 5’ 7” to 6’ 7”, according to customer preference. Different model and manufacturer have different standard heights. Heights can be ordered in 6” increments. Low riders, with total trailer height low enough to be parked inside a standard house garage (7’ high), can be supplied. The low rider has a lowered floor frame and offset axles, with interior height insufficient to stand straight up however some communities do not allow trailers parked outside.

Options are a sizable topic. Purpose built motorcycle trailers will have side vents (fuel fumes do not rise so a roof vent is insufficient), stabilizer jacks under the back (load and unload bikes when the trailer is not attached to a vehicle), helmet/clothes racks (to keep them off the floor or out of your vehicle), fold down bunks (stay in the trailer at rallies), tie down systems, cabinets, air conditioning, 110v outlets for battery tenders, and much more. A cargo trailer can be outfitted with any of the above to transition to a bike trailer of your preference.

There is more to the subject of selecting and outfitting a motorcycle hauler. The above will get you started. Contact us for further guidance.